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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Laura want from Essie the next morning?
(a) The morning newspaper.
(b) A commitment for the church idea.
(c) Her betting stubs.
(d) Coffee and money.

2. What does Laura think about the Lord's help?
(a) That the Lord ain't never helped her before so why would he help now.
(b) That the Lord helps them who helps themselves.
(c) That the Lord helps in abundance when the Spirit moves Laura to preach.
(d) That if the Lord is taking care of her, she can take care of her man.

3. What does Chicken-Crow-For-Day do?
(a) Declares that he should be the new preacher.
(b) Proclaims himself as a dyed-in-the-wool sinner.
(c) Helps himself to some of the collections as they pass.
(d) Proposes to Essie.

4. What does Laura do to keep the cops from stopping the preaching because of no license?
(a) Tells them God will fix their problems.
(b) Bribes them.
(c) Nothing since the problem has miraculously not happened.
(d) Gives them sex.

5. How does Essie clean her nails?
(a) By scouring them with a brillo pad.
(b) With a knife she keeps on her for protection.
(c) By cutting them down to the quick.
(d) By soaking her fingers in soapy water.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Buddy describe Marty?

2. When do the women arrive at the street corner?

3. Where do Buddy and Laura go?

4. What happens after Essie joins in on the song?

5. What becomes the two women's church?

Short Essay Questions

1. What image at the end of this chapter is particularly striking and tells much about Laura?

2. Why do you think the drums always stop just before Laura makes her entrance?

3. In Chapter 20, Laura gives some details about her early childhood; in what way is Laura the same as her mother?

4. What is ironic about the name of the man Laura meets in Chapter 14?

5. Why do you think any more information about Laura's fate is not offered in this final chapter?

6. In Chapter 21, narration expounds on what it means to go "North" to Southern Negroes; summarize narrations statements.

7. Assuming many images in a short novel such as this one can be significant, of what do you think Essie's knife could be symbolic?

8. How do the images of light and dark represent the way the white man Marty is involved behind the scenes in the church?

9. What does it say about Laura as a person to send Marietta downstairs to get Essie knowing what Marietta will find?

10. Do you think Essie is turning a blind eye to Laura giving out "lucky texts" from the pulpit, or do you think she really believes Laura is just trying to give the congregation hope?

(see the answer keys)

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